Effective July 6, 2010, The Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 601.11 to implement a new standard restricting the mailing of replica or inert explosive devices, such as simulated grenades that are not dangerous but bear a realistic appearance to explosive devices, by Registered Mail™ service only.
Published as a Federal Register final rule on June 1, 2010 (75 FR 30300–30301), this revision will minimize the chances of operational disruptions caused by replica or inert explosive devices, and at the same time allow mailers to continue to use the mail for shipping these items.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
601 Mailability
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11.0 Other Restricted and Nonmailable Matter
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[Renumber current 11.5 through 11.21 as 11.6 through 11.22. Insert new 11.5 to read as follows:]
11.5 Replica or Inert Explosive Devices
Replica or inert explosive devices that bear a realistic appearance to explosive devices such as simulated grenades, but that are not dangerous, are permitted in the mail when all of the following conditions are met:
a. The package is presented by the mailer at a retail counter.
b. Registered Mail service is used. (Registered Mail service is only available for items mailed as either First-Class Mail or Priority Mail.)
c. The address side of the package is labeled with “REPLICA EXPLOSIVE” using at least 20-point type or letters at least 1/4" high.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the DMM and into the monthly update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards, Pricing, 6-17-10
